Moving Transit Forward in Toronto

TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - Metrolinx has signed agreements with the TTC and the City of Toronto to improve public transit and ease congestion in Toronto.

Under one agreement, the TTC will implement PRESTO fare card technology in all subway stations, buses and streetcars by 2016. This will allow commuters to travel seamlessly and more conveniently within the TTC and across eight municipal transit systems equipped with PRESTO in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

A second agreement formalizes the construction and future operation of four new Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines in Toronto. Metrolinx will own the LRT lines and the TTC will operate them.

QUOTES

"These important agreements signed today will keep commuters moving across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. With just a tap of their PRESTO fare cards, commuters are provided an easy and streamlined connection to subways, streetcars, buses and the GO Transit network across eight municipal transit systems."
— Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Transportation

"Metrolinx is pleased to be working together with the TTC and the City of Toronto to build and operate a light rail transit network that will allow residents to travel where they want, when they want — with comfort, convenience, reliability and speed. PRESTO, our fare card is a world-class system that supports both local and regional transit travel, and accommodates today's needs and the technological advances of tomorrow. Expansion throughout the TTC is a bold and exciting undertaking, and we look forward to PRESTO being part of the future of TTC transit."
— Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO of Metrolinx

"The TTC and Toronto has a good partner in Metrolinx. We are not just building transit with the LRTs I fought for, we're building our city. We are bringing better transit to areas of Toronto which need it most. My support of PRESTO Card was, and remains, primarily based on further improving TTC Customer Service. PRESTO — which TTC agreed to implement — will also advance seamless regional transit, which is integral for the future of the burgeoning GTHA."
— Karen Stintz, Chair, TTC and Toronto City Councillor (Ward 16 — Eglinton Lawrence)

"I am very pleased to sign these agreements today on behalf of the TTC. We see the introduction of a smartcard and the construction of the four LRT lines as key elements of our program to modernize the TTC and to transform the travelling experience for our customers."
— Andy Byford, CEO, TTC

QUICK FACTS

• More than 400,000 transit users in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area are already using PRESTO fare cards.
  
  
• PRESTO is currently available at all GO stations, on all GO buses and eight municipal transit systems, including 14 TTC subway stations.
  
  
• Ontario is investing $8.4 billion to build the new LRT lines in Toronto — Eglinton Crosstown LRT, Scarborough LRT, Finch West LRT and Sheppard East LRT.
  
  
• Construction on the Eglinton Crosstown is underway and scheduled to be completed by 2020. The new line will bring 19 kilometres of new light rail transit along Eglinton Avenue, connecting west to east from Jane Street/Black Creek Drive to Kennedy Station.

Metrolinx is working to provide residents and businesses in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area with a transportation system that is modern, efficient and integrated. Find out more about The Big Move a transportation plan for the GTHA. Find out more about PRESTO, Air Rail Link and GO Transit, divisions of Metrolinx.

Disponible en français.

SOURCE: Metrolinx

Media enquiries -  Vanessa Thomas, [phone]